The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest (2009)

76% of critics liked it
(34 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(1,563 ratings)

Eighty-five years after George Mallory s final attempt to summit Mount Everest, The Wildest Dream explores Mallory s obsession with becoming the first person to reach the highest place on Earth. Told through the explorer s poignant and evocative letters to his wife, Ruth, previously unseen photos… More Eighty-five years after George Mallory s final attempt to summit Mount Everest, The Wildest Dream explores Mallory s obsession with becoming the first person to reach the highest place on Earth. Told through the explorer s poignant and evocative letters to his wife, Ruth, previously unseen photos and film archive from 1924 (restored from the original nitrate especially for the film), dramatization and a modern-day expedition retracing the original route taken in 1924, Mallory s incredible adventure lives again. The expedition was led by renowned mountaineer Conrad Anker, whose life became inextricably linked with Mallory s after he found Mallory s body on Everest in 1999. Using replica 1920s-era clothing and equipment, Anker sets out to solve the great mystery of whether Mallory succeeded in summiting Everest before he died he was last seen just 800 feet from the summit before the clouds closed in and he disappeared into legend. The most heartbreaking clue: All of Mallory s belongings were found intact on his body, except the photograph of his beloved Ruth, which he promised to leave at the top of the world if he succeeded. -- (C) National Geographic

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Anthony Geffen
Written By: Mark Halliley
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Aug 6, 2010 Limited
On DVD: Mar 15, 2011
Studio: National Geographic Cinema Ventures

Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
An unabashedly romanticized docudrama.
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
In tandem with this bang-up adventure runs Mallory's fascinating life story.
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
It's all a bit hokey, though the mountaineering footage is often spectacular.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
You may not believe it's possible to bore people to death with a film about risking your life, but The Wildest Dream comes shockingly close.
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
The movie excels not in the plentiful shots of Everest's majesty, but in its nuanced depiction of Mallory through interviews, archival footage and letters.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
It's about a love triangle -- unusual because the home-wrecking third party is the largest mountain in the world.
Mike Edwards, What Culture
The layers of narrative prove too diffuse, and there is not a good enough arc to hold a cinema audience for the duration.
Elias Savada, Film Threat
For lovers of the greatest of outdoors, The Wildest Dream is a worthy excursion, especially on the big IMAX screen.
Graham Young, Birmingham Post
It will haunt you for days. And inspire you forever.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
This hybrid movie combines scenic cinematography, documentary and two very different dramatic recreations of a historical event to tell a fascinating story.
Cath Clarke, Guardian [UK]
With the exception of some TV-duff recreations and CSI-style razzle-dazzle it is fascinating.
Emma Dibdin, Total Film
You'll be sweaty-palmed and mildly nauseous -- in the very best way.
Adam Smith, Radio Times
The photography is suitably spectacular and there's a starry voice cast...
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
Respectable but often dry and dull.
Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The Wildest Dream is an often gripping account of the men who dare to climb toward heaven, and sometimes pay the ultimate price.
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Anker's story is remarkable.
James Verniere, Boston Herald
The film skillfully mixes exposition, including Mallory and his wife Ruth's letters read aloud, re-creations, interviews, amazing archival footage and still images of stunning nature photography.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
What really brings the past alive in The Wildest Dream is those glorious voices.
Pam Grady, Boxoffice Magazine
Screenwriter Mark Halliley has caught Mallory's passionate obsession and Geffen and his camera team have captured the majesty of the mountain.
Ian Buckwalter, DCist
Geffen captures stunning images of the mountain as he follows Anker and Houlding in Mallory's footsteps.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Sundeep B

"Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?" "Because it's there".....haunting and inspiring, i wish he did conquer the Everest in 1924.
Sarah P

A really interesting story (both past and present) and amazing footage of a place that most of us will never go.